So, you’ve heard about GoHighLevel and now you’re questioning if it’s the ideal move for your company. Possibly somebody hyped it up. Possibly you saw the buzz online concerning it being an “all-in-one” marketing option. In either case, you’re below, searching for a real-deal malfunction. No fluff, no sugarcoating. Is GoHighLevel Open Source..
Well, you remain in the right place.
Due to the fact that after making use of GoHighLevel for a few years, I’ve seen it all– the highs, the migraines, and the hidden gems. Let me stroll you via what it’s actually like to use this monster of a system, so you can decide if it’s a smart suitable for you.
GoHighLevel: A Powerhouse
Let’s not dance around it– GoHighLevel is hugely powerful. It’s like offering your company a Pocket knife. You get CRM tools, marketing automation, funnels, visit organizing, e-mail and SMS campaigns, social media DMs, subscription locations, web sites, pipelines … the checklist takes place.
However here’s the important things no one tells you ahead of time: it takes some time to discover. You will not just sign up and promptly feel like a marketing wizard. There’s a contour. However if you agree to climb it? The payoff is big.
What You’ll Love
You Can Finally Ditch All the Other Devices
Ever feel like your service is duct-taped along with 10 various apps? One for emails, another for funnels, something else for SMS, and don’t forget your booking software. Oh, and your CRM.
Yeah … laborious.
GoHighLevel adjustments that. It replaces virtually whatever– other than your repayment portal. (We’ll talk extra about that later on.) You won’t have to juggle tabs or hope Zapier doesn’t problem out. Every little thing’s in one place. And that alone? Worth the cost of admission.
Seriously, I utilized to squander hours babysitting integrations. Currently, I do not even consider it.
It Keeps Improving. Like, Every Day
A lot of systems turn out updates a couple of times a year. Maybe as soon as a quarter if you’re fortunate.
GoHighLevel? They get on lightning speed.
I have actually seen brand-new features decrease in the same week– even on the same day– numerous times. One day it’s a brand-new integration with Square, the next it’s upgraded video uploads, after that suddenly there’s a new social reporting device. It’s wild.
The advancement group is frequently paying attention to users (yes, you) and really carrying out demands. You desire something added? There’s a good chance it’ll appear on the roadmap and in fact obtain built. That kind of responsiveness is unusual.
Communicate With Your Audience Every Way Feasible
This part? Substantial.
You’re not just stuck to e-mail and SMS anymore. GoHighLevel lets you speak with your individuals across systems– phone calls, voicemail drops, Facebook DMs, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, web site chat … the whole shebang.
And the most effective component? All those messages funnel right into one basic discussion tab. One inbox. Say goodbye to searching down a roaming Instagram message or forgetting to respond to a message. It’s all there. Clean. Simple. Convenient.
SaaS Mode, The Big Leagues
This one’s a game-changer if you have actually got entrepreneurial blood in your veins.
SaaS mode lets you rebrand the platform as your own software application and re-sell it. Seriously. You set your very own pricing, put your own logo design on it, and boom– you’ve obtained a whole brand-new income stream.
It’s not quite “establish it and forget it”, however it’s absolutely near-passive revenue. And unlike using solutions, where you’re restricted by time and capacity, selling a white-labeled system scales. Fast.
If you’re already offering customers or you’ve obtained a target market, this can unlock a totally new income layer for you.
Automation That Frees Up Your Life
Ever before get stuck doing the very same uninteresting tasks over and over? Customer onboarding, follow-ups, rescheduling … it eats up your day prior to you even get to the enjoyable things.
GoHighLevel’s automation workflows address that.
You can build multi-step, multi-channel workflows that set off based upon activities– send out a follow-up SMS after someone books, support leads through email series, auto-tag calls in your CRM, timetable consultations, you call it.
It’s effective– virtually intimidatingly so in the beginning. Once you establish it up? Life-changing. You’ll wonder how you ever handled without it.
It’s Not Just for Agencies; Is GoHighLevel Open Source
Back in the very early days, GoHighLevel was plainly designed with digital marketing companies in mind. And yeah, it’s still awesome for firms. Now? It’s way much more easily accessible.
If you run a local service– say a dental practitioner, a physical fitness workshop, a realty company– this platform can be your best friend. You don’t need a marketing degree to make it help you.
Even much better, GoHighLevel offers “snapshots”– primarily prebuilt templates with funnels, automations, e-mails, and extra customized for certain markets. Load one up and you’re midway done already.
And at $97/month for the starter plan? It’s a hell of a bargain compared to assembling every little thing together with various other devices that nickel and penny you right into a $500 technology stack.
Currently for the Not-So-Great Components
Alright, let’s be actual for a sec. GoHighLevel isn’t remarkable. It’s packed with power, yet there are a few traits you need to recognize before diving in.
Some Features Cost Additional
GoHighLevel charges extra for sure points– generally e-mail, phone, SMS, and AI solutions. Not a lots of cash, but it’s something to aspect right into your spending plan.
What bugs me is that the pricing web page doesn’t really mean this out plainly. You have to dig with the assistance facility to figure it out. Personally? I think they need to be a lot more upfront concerning that.
Still, making use of Twilio or Mailgun with GoHighLevel is normally more affordable than going all-in on standalone systems. So in the grand plan, you’re still most likely saving cash.
The Customer Support? It’s a Mixed Bag
Below’s where things get a little rough.
On one hand, GoHighLevel uses Zoom assistance calls– which is outstanding and truthfully above and beyond what the majority of platforms offer you.
But on the other hand? Their online conversation and SMS support can be frustratingly slow-moving or unhelpful. I have actually needed to chase after support representatives for follow-ups greater than when. And I’ve obtained text messages with flat-out wrong information (like telling me my free trial was ending … when it wasn’t).
So yeah– for vital things, book a Zoom. Don’t rely upon conversation Is GoHighLevel Open Source.
The Training Materials? Pretty Outdated
This is one of my most significant gripes.
Because GoHighLevel updates constantly, their assistance docs and video tutorials commonly obtain left in the dust. You’ll be attempting to comply with a tutorial, only to understand the screenshots and guidelines are from, like, 2021.
If you’re brand-new and depending on those resources, it can be discouraging. That claimed, the community is energetic, and there are lots of updated walkthroughs floating around on YouTube and Facebook groups. You’ll figure it out– simply prepare to Google a few things.
Stripe or Bust
Below’s a strange limitation: to utilize SaaS mode and a few of the rebilling features, you need to make use of Stripe.
Currently, Stripe is terrific if you remain in the united state or various other supported countries. But if you’re not? This could be a trouble. There are various other payment integrations like PayPal and currently Square, however they do not cover every little thing (yet).
Ideally, that’ll change soon. Square integration is still brand-new, and there’s broach increasing its performance. Fingers crossed.
It Can Be Overwhelming, Especially for Newbies
Let me state this loud and clear: GoHighLevel is not “plug and play”.
If you’re all new to sales funnels, automations, or CRMs, the learning contour is actual. You’re not going to understand every little thing in a day.
Honestly, do not even attempt. Begin with the basics– maybe appointment organizing or funnel development– and develop from there. Trying to find out whatever at once is a dish for burnout.
Likewise, the interface isn’t super instinctive. Some settings are in your Agency view, others in your Sub-Accounts. Expect to really feel a little lost in the beginning. Entirely normal.
Once it clicks? You’ll seem like an illusionist.
Verdict
Right here’s the offer: GoHighLevel isn’t for everybody.
If you want something dead-simple, like Mailchimp or Calendly, this probably isn’t the system for you. There’s way too much power under the hood for it to be “simple” out of the box.
But if you’re building a major service and you want one tool to run the entire thing– marketing, CRM, sales, automations, support– then indeed, GoHighLevel is 100% worth a look.
I do not regret switching. Not also a little. And when you master it? You’ll most likely wonder just how you ever lived without it.
So go ahead, take the jump. Just give yourself time to find out the ropes.
You’ll thank yourself later.